Manufacture of wire fabrics



Patented Sept. 2,- 1941 MANUFACTURE 0F WIRE FABRICS Otto Carl Scherfel, Philadelphia., Pa., assigner to vAudubonWire Cloth Corporation, Philadelphia,

Pa., a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationrMay 15, 1940, Serial No. 335,411 I (Cl. 245-6) Y I Y 14 claims.

My invention relates to wire fabric made of helically coiled wires disposed in parallel relation and maintained in interrelated arrange-- ment transversely thereof, Y

The improvements constituting the subject of my present invention relate more particularly to the longitudinal reinforcement of wire fabrics of therty'pe in which the helicallycoiled wiresy are connected by cross connector rods. Wire fabric of this type is usually made Aof helically coiled Wires of different twist which alternate throughout the entire extent ofthe fabric-'- right-hand or dextrorsal wires alternatingv with left-hand or sinistrorsal wires-andl all of Vsaid Wires'being maintained in their connected relation by means of cross rod connectors engaging alternately the bights of the coils of pairs of directly adjacent wires of different twist and said cross connector rods being permanently secured to the ends of the respective helically By having wires of different twistl coiled wires. in alternating relation, theV helices or coils of the same lie at different angles, transversely and longitudinally, upon what may be termed the surfaces of the fabric and when such fabric is employed as a carrying or conveying element, such disposition of the -coils or helices of the wires of different twist eliminates any tendency of such carrying element or 'conveyer to shift from one side to the other and insures that it will track true when passing over the: pulleys and idlers of the mechanism employed for im-Y parting movement to the same.

The Across rod connectorsV for the helically coiledwires are of an undulatory or crimped type, and the bends of such rods are so spaced as to be in position for engagement bythe oppositely disposed bights of the helices or coils of the respective helically coiled wires. The ends of the helically coiled wires are positively connected with the ends of the crimped cross connector rods; each lcross rod being connected to the ends of a single helically coiled wire, and by preference these connections `are in the form of Welds. The respectivehelically coiled wires of different twist have helices of material length widthwise thereof and they are relatively flat My improved fabric is of extreme strength and flexibility; has no appreciable stretch longitudinally and will not contract transversely.

One object of my invention is to reinforce, strengthen and, to a certain extent, stiffen the individual helically coiled wires employed in the construction of my improved fabric.

A further object of my invention is to rein- 55 force, strengthen and, to acertain extent, stilen the marginal edges or selvages and other portions or areas of the wire fabric.

A further object of my invention is to provide' the body portion of the wire Vfabric `with strengthening and reinforcing portions or'areas.

A further-:object of my invention is to permanentlysecure the ends of each of the cross connector rods uponvwhich the helically coiled wires are'hinged Vto one of said latter Wires so that in. its completed form the fabric is 'com'- posed of unit elements;- each consistingV of'a helically coiledwire and a cross connector wire. VAnd a still further object of my invention is to provide a wire fabric with marginal edg'esncrr selvages highly resistant to wear.

These and other features of my invention are more fully set forth hereinafter; reference being had to the accompanying drawing, more or less diagrammatic in character, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View,V partly broken away, 'of one form of wire fabric having features forming thefsubject'of my present invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged Views of portions of the fabric shown in Fig. 1, illustrating in' greater detail features of my present invention.

Fig. 4 is 'an elevation of one of the marginal edges of the fabric shown in Fig. 1.

- Fig. 5'is a planfview, partly .broken away," illustrating another form o'f wire fabric embody-v ing features within the scope of my present invention. f

Fig. '6 is an 'enlarged View of Va portion'of'thev fabric shown in Fig. 5, illustrating in'greater detail the reinforcing feature of the same, and' Fig. 7 is an elevation o'f one of the marginal edges of the fabric shown in'Fig. 5; e

In the form of my improved fabric illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the" drawing, the helically coiled wires are of different twist and are indicated at I0 and I I; the Ysaid wires being of Vrighthand or dextrorsal twist and left-hand or sinistrorsal twist, respectively.

These helically coiled wires when'of different twist are arranged alternately throughout the entire extent of the fabric'and in order that the respective sets of wires maybe connected intoa complete fabric, cross connector rods I2 andy I3 are employed; such cross rod connectors-being crimped and the several bends produced by the crimping are so spaced as to be engaged by the bights of the coils or helices ofthe respective wires. The ends of the helically'coiled wires I0 are connected to the ends of the crimped cross connector rods I2 by welding, as indicated at and the ends of the helically coiled wires II are also connected to the ends of the crimped Y cross connector rods I3, by welding, as indicated at y.` These welded connectionsare at the extreme margins of the belt and are of material l value in resisting wear at the edges thereof. VIn.

a sense, the fabric may be describedras composed of a series of units; vunits consisting of a Vhelically coiled wireIO and a cross connectorfrod I2, alternating' with units consisting of a helically coiled wire I I and across connector rod I3.

In the form of my improved fabric illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, the helically coiled wires are also of different utwist and are indicated at III) and III; thesaid wires being,

of right-hand twist and left-hand twist,` re-V spectively.

As in the structure mustratedi'm Fig-, 1, thesewires of different twist are arrangedalternately, .t

and areV connected into a complete fabric by cross rods II2 and II3, which are crimped and. have their bends so spaced as to be engaged Aby the bights of the coilsor helices of the respective Wires IIO and III. are connected to thel endsv of thel crimpedY cross rods H2, by welding, as indicatedat and the endsof the wires III are also connected to the endsfofthe 'crimped cross rods II3,Y byV welding,

as indicated at y'. V'I'hese'welded connections are atz the extreme margins ofthe belt and are of material value in resisting weark at theyedges thereof; IThis fabric, like the form shown in 'I'he ends of thewires: IIII Fig.' .1, may be described as composed ofY a series ofr units; units consisting of a helically coiled wire I'IIIf and a crosslrod .II2`, alternating with i units consisting of. a helically coiled wire II I and.

across rod II3.: 1 Y

For the purpose of. relatively 'stiifening the respective wires' of ,theA fabric and providingV strengthening and reinforcing means for different areas ofthe same, including they selvages as well as the body portion ,thereof 'in wire fabric of the character illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing,'certain of the ycoils'or helices of ythe helically coiled wires are compressed or condensed so as to lie substantially or directly in engagement with each other and in. such relation that at certain portions of th'fabric twov or more coils or helices of eachhelically: 'coiled Wire are in en- Y Y sagement withlsinglerbends of the crimped cross connector rods.

In the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, each of the helicallycoiledcross wires is provided with a plurality of vthese closely engaging coils or helices. Consideringone of the helically coiled' wires I0, for instance, it will be observed'that it is provided ateach Lend.witl'1 a pair of. coils or helices in close relation; the closely placed coils at the left-hand side oftheview being indicated at IIJa while the closely placed coils atthe right` whether at the'marginalvedges. orV at another area, of the fabric, `it is necessary to provide' f helices or coils extending in the opposite direction, usually singly, and dthese are indicated at The4 closely Yplaced ,coils ric.

VWithin the body of the fabric, centrally thereof or at any other suitablevpoint, I may arrange.

fabric, while the coil Illd at the right-hand side of the figure is directly at the marginal edge of the fabric. Each of the helically coiled wires 0f right-hand twist, indicated at I0, will have this arrangement at .the marginal edges or selvages of the fabric. As the dotted line indications show, the 'coils or helices of the wire IIJ are in ajdiiferent relation at the under side of the fabric, as viewed 'in Fig. 1.

Upon Vconsidering vone of the helically coiled wires II, for instance, it will be observed that it is also provided at eachV end Ywith a pair of coils or helices in close relation; the closely Vplaced coils at the left-hand side of the view being indicated at IIx11 while the coils at the righthand side are indicated at IIb. The coils IIB are inwardly of the marginal edge while the coils I`Ib are directly at the marginal edge. 'I'his is the ,showing on the fa'ce of the fabric as illustrated in Fig. l. The closely placed coils IIa and .IIb of the wire II are of left hand twist, conforming to ,the twist of .the balance of the wire, but in developing this reinforcement, Whether at the marginal edges or at another area of the fabric, it is necessary to provide helices or coils extending in the opposite direction, usually` singly, and these are indicated at IIc at the lefthand side` of the figure :and at IId at the right hand side ofthe figure; the coil IIc being at the marginal edge of ,thefabrid while the coil ;I I" at therighthand side of the figure is inwardly of themargin. Each of the helically coiled. wires of left-hand twist, indicated at II will have this arrangement at the marginal edges of the fabric.

As .ther dottedline indications show, the coils or helices of the wiresr II are in a different relation at the under side of the fabric as viewedzin Fig. 1.

the special disposition of the helically coiled wires with close spacingV of certain coils or helices,

and it will be observed that this arrangement is placed coils being indicated at IIIe and II'e reluvc 'at the ien-hand side of the figure and at IIId at the right-hand side of the figure; the coilV I0 being inwardly of the marginal edge of the spectively, and the single reversely pla'cedcoils of the respectivewires I0 and II being indicated atfI'll?` and IIf. v A

`VThus, it willbe'observed, the bends at each end of the crimped crossconnector rods I2 and I3 are engaged by the bights of three ofthe coils or helices of the'wires III andI I while the bends directly flanking the same are engaged by the bights of two of the helices or coils. The connections or engagement'of the coilsof the re` slpectivewiresv I0 and I I in the body of the fabric are made in an exactly similarrmanner. This arrangement of the closely engaging coils'in the' body of the fabric produces what may be termed a strengthening rib or 'reinforcement Alongitudinally of the fabric of the same 'character asthe strengthening and reinforcing means at the selvages'of` the fabric.

in the body of the fabric, in Fig. 1, it Will be unhelically coiled wires, the belt may be said to.

be composed of a series of units. Y

In the form of fabric illustrated in Figs. and y6, the same arrangements of helically coiled wires of different twist, in alternating relation, is employed, connected byrmeans of'cross connector rods of crimped formation; the wires of right-hand twist alternating with wires of lefthand twist throughout the extent of the fabric. In this arrangement the strengthening and reinforcement of the marginal edges of the fabric is effected by arranging a number of the coils or helices at each end of the helically coiled wires in close engagement. In this form of my improved fabric, the wires of right-hand twist are indicated at IIO and the wires of left-hand twist are indicated at III, and such wires are interrelated or connected by the crimped cross rods II2 and II3. Each end of each of the helically coiled wires III) and III is provided with a series of coils or helices in close disposition, as clearly indicated at I Il)a and I I Ia.

In carrying out this arrangement of my improved fabric, itis desirable to omit the crimps at the end portions of the cross connector rods which are engaged by the closely placed helices or coils III)a and Illa; such rods having straight ends as indicated at I|2a and ll3a.y The number of coils in this close formation may comprise four or ve; ve being illustrated in the present instance. The ends of the cross rods II2 and I I3 are secured to the ends of the helically coiled wiresV IIIJ and III, respectively, by welding the same thereto, as indi-cated at w' and 'y'. This connection is such that it provides a series of units, each consisting of a helically coiled wire and a 4cross rod, making up the fabric, as in the construction illustrated in Fig. l.

While I have illustrated in Fig. l the use of helically coiled Wires of different twist in Valternate relation, it is within the scope of my invention to make a fabric in which all of the wires are of the same twist and are held together by crimped cross connector rods. It is also within the scope of my invention to employ a greater number of the-closely placed coils or helices than the sets of pairs illustrated, and it is also within the scope of my invention to employ helically coiled wires in which all of the coils are in vpaired relation longitudinally of the same,y thereby producing a highly reinforced fabric structure.

It will be understood that modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several elements of my improved wire fabric structure without 4departing from the spirit of my invention, all of which .is deemed to be within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A wire fabric composed of a plurality of helically coiled wires, cross rods extending the full Width of the fabric and connecting the bights of pairs of the several helically coiled wires; said cross rods being crimped with the bends so spaced as to be engaged by the helices or coils of the respective cross wires, and reinforcing and strengthening means for the selvages of said fabric comprising a plurality of closely placed welded' to an individual cross rod beyond said. I

closely placed coils. Y

2.Y A wire fabric comprising a plurality of helically coiled Wires of different twist with Wires of right-hand twist alternating with wires of left-hand twist, cross rods extending the full width of the fabric and connecting the bights of pairs of the several helically'coiled wires; said cross rods being crimped with the bends so spaced as to be engagedv by the helices or coils of the respective cross Wires, and reinforcing and strengthening means for'the selvages of said fabricV comprising a' plurality of closely placed coils of the respective helically coiled wires disposed adjacent to the marginal edges of the fabric; each of said helically coiled Wires being welded to an individual cross rod beyond said closely placed coils.

3.4i wire fabric, composed of a plurality of helically coiled wires, cross rods extending the full width ofthe fabric and connecting the bights of pairs of the several helically coiled Wires; said cross rods being crimped with the bends so spaced as to be engaged by the helices or coils of the respective cross Wires, and reinforcing and strengthening means for the selvages of the fabric including a plurality of closely placed'coils of the respective helically coiled wires disposed adjacent to the marginal edges of the fabric with single rev-ersely placed coils adjacent to each group of closely placed coils; each of said helically coiled wires being welded to an individual cross rod beyond said closely placed coils.

4. A Wire fabric comprising a plurality of helically coiled wires of different twist with wires of right-hand twist alternating with Wires of lefthand twist, cross rods extending the full width of the fabric and connecting the bights of pairs of the several-helically coiled wires; said cross rods being crimped with the bends so spaced as to be engaged by the helices or coils of the respective cross wires, and reinforcing and strengthening means for the selvages of the fabricincluding a plurality of closel placed coils of the respective helically coiled wires disposed adjacent to the marginal edgesof the fabric with single reversely placed coils adjacent to each group of closely placed coils; each of said helically coiled wires `being welded to an individual cross rod beyond said closely placed coils.

5. A wire fabric comprising helically coiled Wires with alternate wires of 'different twist, and cross rods extending the full width of the fabric and connecting pairs of said helically coiled wires throughout the extent of the same; each of said helically coiled wires having a plurality of closely placed coils at or adjacent to the marginal edges of the fabric and being welded to an individual cross rod beyond said closely placed coils.

6. A wire fabric comprising helically coiled wires with alternate wires of different twist, crimped cross rods extending the full Width of the fabric and connecting pairs of said helically coiled Wires throughout the extent of the same, and reinforced marginal edges for said fabric comprising the plurality of closely placed coils of said helically coiled wires; said crimped cross rods having straight ends underlying said groups of closely placed coils, and welded connections at the ends of said helically coiled Wires and said cross rods.

7. A wire fabricA comprising. heucaiiyr coiledVv wires` with alternate; wires ofr different twist, crimped cross rods extendingrthefull lwidth'of the fabric and connecting pairs of said helically coiled wires of different twist throughout theex-z cally 'coiled wires vin closely. placed relation?- ad-p jacent to themarginaL edges@ of thefabricpass ciating a single reverselyplacedcoilfof. eachof fil tentlof the same; said helically coiled wires having groupsof closelyplaced coils-at the marginal` edges ofthe fabric and at a pointintermediatey said edges longitudinally ofthe fabric, and peru' manentconnections at the endsV of said helically' coiled wires and? said. cross-rods.i

8. A vwire-,fabric lcomprisinghelically wires with alternate wiresV of different.v twist,

cross rods extending the full width of the fabric and connectingpairs 'of wires of different twist-- throughoutV the extent Vof the same, vreinforced edges for said'fabric comprisinggroups of close-- ly placed coils of each ofl said'helically Vtwisted wires, and permanent Yconnections between the ends of'th'e respective helically' twisted wires and the cross rods. Y Y f 9. Themethodof reinforcing wire fabric composed of a plurality'of helically coiled which comprises arranginga plurality of saidwires in juxtaposed position Vwith respect. to each other; threading crimpedl cross rods: lnengagement with coiled the bights of pairs of directly adjacent helically Y coiled wires; arranging a plurality of coils of each of the helically .coiled Wires in closelyplaced relation adjacent `to the marginalk edges., of the. fabric, and Welding.-v the" e'nds of-v the crimped cross rods to theendsjof Yindividual helically coiled wires at thefmarginal edges ofV the fabric.

'10J The'method of reinforcing wire fabric composed `of a 'plurality ofwhelically coiled wires which' comprised' arranging a pluralityof wiresf of right-hand twist in' alternate and juxtaposed positionw With respect to'the wires of left-hand twist; threading crimped cross rods in engagement with the bights of vpairs' of directly adjacent helically coiled wires;"arranging;a plurality of coils of each of the helically coiledwires in closely:

posed of a plurality of helically coiled wires which comprisesarranging said wires in juxtaposedrpo sition with respect to eachfother;` threading crimped cross rods inengagement with the bightsY of pairs of directlyv adjacent helically coiled wires; arranging a plurality of coilsl of each of the heliplacedcoils, and welding thefends` of .thecrimped cross rods to thexends of Sindividual helically."

coiled wires atthemarginal edgesxof the fabric.; 12. The vmethod ofreinforcingwirefabric'composed of a plurality-of-helically coiled wireswhich comprises arrangingwires of right-hand` twist inV alternateV and juxtaposedposition with respectV to 1wiresof left-hand'twist; threading.- crimped cross rods in engagement withvthe bights' of pairs of directly. adjacent helically coiled wires; arranging a plurality` of coilsof each of the helically coiled wires in closely placed relationl adjacent to thernarginal edgesofthe fabric, asV sociating a single Vreversely placed coil of each ofthe `helically coiled Wires adjacent to ysaid closely placed-coils, and welding the ends ,oil-the. crimped cross'rods tothe ends of the individualiA helically coiled wires at 4the marginal edges of thefabric.-` v. f 1

Y13. The method ofreinforcing Wire fabric cornposed o f a plurality of vhelically coiled Wires which` comprisesarranging a plurality ofsaid wires in juxtaposed position with respectto` each other; threading crimped cross rods in engagement-with the bights of pairs ofdirectlyadjacent,helically marginal gends of the` fabric; v i g 14. Themethod of reinforcing wire fabric composed cf a plurality of helicallycoiled wires which comprises arranging a `plurality of wires Ofright-A hand twist4 in alternate and'juxtaposed position with respectA to the wires oft left-hand i, twist.;l threading crimped cross -rodsin engagernentwith:`

the bights of pairs of directly `adjacent helically coiled wires; arranging a plurality of coils of each of the helically coiled 'wires in closely placed relation whereby a plurality of bights of each of the helioallycoiled wires independently engage.

a plurality of bends ofthe crimped cross,rods,.

and welding the ends'of said rods to theends of individual helically .coiled wires at' the marginal edgesvof ,the fabric.y e. v I A O'I'I'O vCARL SCHERFEL. 

